McBride, De La Rosa lift Rockies past Royals, 5-2

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer
| 9:23 p.m.Aug. 20, 2014

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa throws to the plate against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)The Associated Press

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa throws to the plate against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Kansas City Royals second baseman Christian Colon throws out Colorado Rockies' Drew Stubbs at first to end the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)The Associated Press

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Kansas City Royals second baseman Christian Colon throws out Colorado Rockies' Drew Stubbs at first to end the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado runs home on a sacrifice fly by Wilin Rosario against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)The Associated Press

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Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado runs home on a sacrifice fly by Wilin Rosario against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

DENVER (AP) — Matt McBride hit his first career grand slam and Jorge De La Rosa pitched eight crisp innings, helping the Colorado Rockies cool off the Kansas City Royals with a 5-2 win on Wednesday night.

The loss trims the Royals' lead to one game over Detroit in the AL Central.

Danny Duffy (8-11) was cruising along with a 2-1 lead until a two-out error by third baseman Christian Colon in the sixth opened the door for a big inning. McBride lined a fastball from Duffy into the left-field bleachers and then zipped around the bases in exhilaration.

It was McBride's first homer since Sept. 25, 2012, and third of his career. He was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs the day before.

De La Rosa (13-8) allowed five hits and two run against his former team. He also got the Royals to hit into four double plays, tying a franchise record for most by a single pitcher in a game.

LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances.

Duffy was in command most of the night as he allowed five hits and five runs, one earned, in seven innings. After getting two quick outs in the sixth, Colon fielded a grounder and threw a one-hopper that first baseman Billy Butler couldn't scoop. Wilin Rosario singled and Corey Dickerson drew a walk to set the stage for McBride.

Another hard-luck loss for Duffy, who's the only AL pitcher with a losing record and an ERA under three runs.

This was just the second time De La Rosa faced his old team. He spent two seasons with the Royals before being dealt to Colorado in 2008 for cash considerations.

He was cashing in on his slider and changeup to get out of one jam after another.

De La Rosa's only mistake was in the second when he grooved a 91-mph fastball that Alex Gordon hit into the right-field bleachers. Erik Kratz brought in another run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth that scored Josh Willingham, who led off the inning with a double.

The Royals finished interleague play with a 15-5 mark.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: C Salvador Perez was a late scratch because of discomfort in his right knee. Perez was pulled from Monday's game with a sore knee.

Rockies: OF Michael Cuddyer was out another day with a strained left hamstring. He said he's confident he will be back in the lineup Friday.

UP NEXT

Royals: After a day off, Kansas City begins a three-game series in Texas. Yordano Ventura (9-9) will start Friday. His nine wins are third-most among rookies this season.

Rockies: The Rockies have their second off day this week on Thursday. They begin a three-game series with Miami on Friday. LHP Franklin Morales (5-6) will get the start after missing his last turn in the rotation for the birth of his daughter.